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New world record with the longest 132 kV submarine three-core cable

Paris, 3 March 2005 - Nexans, worldwide leader in the cable industry, has signed a deal worth more than 8 million Euros, with the consortium of Vestas Celtic Wind Technology Ltd and Kellogg Brown and Root Ltd (VKBR), to supply the Barrow Offshore Windfarm (BOW). This windfarm is located seven kilometres off Walney Island in the Irish Sea. Nexans will supply a 27.5 km 132 kV transmission cable, 22km of 33 kV infield cables and offshore/onshore site services.

This 27.5 km transmission cable, which will weigh approximately 1,600 tonnes, will set a new world record of being the longest 132kV three-core cable.

The Barrow Offshore Windfarm will utilise Nexans'expertise in subsea cable manufacturing, including installation of the first 132kV cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulated submarine cable to be used on such a project in the United Kingdom. The XLPE cable will also include 24 fibre optic cables for control and communication functions.

In addition to manufacturing the cables, Nexans will be responsible for termination works which include cable anchoring and fibre optic terminations for both the offshore platform and onshore facility. "Nexans is a key player in a host of worldwide windfarm infrastructure projects, both onshore and offshore. When we take part in the development of windfarms, we're also helping shape the future", said Yvon Raak, Nexans'Executive Vice President, Europe Area.

The cables should be delivered in May 2005.

XLPE cableThe 27km 132kV three-core XLPE cable will be manufactured in Nexans'Halden plant in Norway. It will consist of a stranded copper conductor, XLPE insulated and protected with a lead sheath and an outer steel-wire armour in order to meet the demanding subsea environment.

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About Nexans

Nexans is the worldwide leader in the cable industry. The Group brings an extensive range of advanced copper and optical fiber cable solutions to the infrastructure, industry and building markets. Nexans cables and cabling systems can be found in every area of people's lives, from telecommunications and energy networks, to aeronautics, aerospace, automobile, railways, building, petrochemical, medical applications, etc. With an industrial presence in 29 countries and commercial activities in 65 countries, Nexans employs 20,000 people and had sales in 2004 of euros 4.9 billion. Nexans is listed on the Paris stock exchange. More information on www.nexans.com

About BOW

Barrow Offshore Wind Ltd, is a consortium with a 50-50 ownership between leading UK energy company Centrica and Danish energy company DONG. BOW acquired the rights in 2003 to develop a 90MW offshore wind farm in the East Irish Sea. In 2004 Vestas, together with KBR, were selected to construct the new wind farm, which is expected to produce approximately 305GWh per annum when completed.